Internet Speed and Your Webcast

What You Really Need to Know about Internet Speed For Streaming Video:

Its common knowledge (or should be) that the speed of your internet connection is crucial for webcasting through any online streaming service. This applies both to your upload speed (the rate at which you can transmit information out) and your viewers’ download speed (the rate at which they can pull in and view the video you are streaming).

There are a lot of myths and false notions floating around the world wide web regarding the value of Internet speeds. Naturally your ISP (Internet Service Provider like Telus, Shaw, Rogers, etc.) will always provide you with a best-case figure when it tells you what your upload or download speed is, which is not always what it really. In reality your effective speed depends on a number of variables that you may be unaware of.

Myths and information about Internet speed for streaming video get tossed around as common knowledge and while some of these ideas are true, many others are not.

You need to know if you have sufficient Internet speed to broadcast smoothly without any glitches – in order to do this you need to understand how it all works. Here are some critical factors that will affect your Internet speed and subsequently the efficiency of your broadcast…

Internet Speed Ratings and Actual Speed:

Your ISP usually advertises the speed rating for your particular plan, but that is rarely your actual speed. It’s actually just the maximum capacity of your connection, which goes up and down (usually down) minute to minute depending on a number of factors such as heavy traffic, etc. You can’t browse or upload faster than your speed rating, but most of the time your actual connection will be slower.

Your actual speed depends on the slowest bandwidth anywhere along the line of the number of connections between the source to end user, which in turn depends on a number of factors, including distance, crowding of the channel by other users or other networks (usually heavier or lower at certain times of the day) the TCP window size, network latency, and whether you’re on a hardwired connection or using wireless.

Physical Factors: Distance, Other Users, Other Networks

The way a signal moves from one computer to another over the Internet involves a series of hardwired and wireless connections. Each step of the connection has its own maximum transmission speed. The slowest of these connections is what determines your actual connection speed between your broadcast and your viewer’s device.

Your upload speed rating is only one of those factors. Many of them are not under your control at all. A few factors are, though. These include the distance between your computer and your router if using a wireless connection, and also how many other users are on your network and how many other networks are in range of your computer or your router. Your performance is likely to be reasonably good as long as all of these factors are within reasonable limits, but drops off quickly after that.

Latency:

Network latency (more commonly known as delay) is one of the biggest roadblocks between you and your theoretical Internet speed. The term refers to the time it takes for a signal to go from source to destination and is measured in milliseconds (ms). It’s affected by the route that the signal takes ie. how many computers or networks it travels through before reaching the viewer’s download device) and also by the physical distance traveled. Imagine an oil or water pipeline. It will obviously take longer for the fluid to travel a hundred miles than it will to travel 10 miles. The same principle applies here.

Latency is one common reason why a page sometimes takes a long time to load. It is also the reason why a video being broadcast will end up being delayed about 5 seconds or more as it is being broadcast.

Most streaming devices use buffering (ie. collecting and storing data as it streams, to be used as a backup in case the delay is too great. A high latency can be temporary or persistent. Temporary latency can often be corrected by the buffer or if the network signal can be redirected to a shorter route, the latency decreases. Persistently high latency represents a problem with the network, which is more common with Satellite networks.

Latency of a system can be tested by using a ping test. Remember that latency occasionally spikes, so several tests over time give better information than a single test. For broadcast purposes, you want your network to have a consistent latency of 100 ms or less, and the lower the better.

TCP Window Size:

The TCP window size is the amount of data that is transmitted by a computer before it sends a signal asking for acknowledgement and waits to receive a response. You’d think that increasing the window size would always improve performance, but that’s not the case. To start with, TCP window size isn’t a unilateral decision by one computer but an agreement between the two electronic parties to the conversation. Each such request uses some connection capacity itself, so it’s possible to slow things down with a larger window size rather than speeding them up. TCP window size should be adjusted for the bandwidth and latency. Higher connection speeds and higher latency both allow or require a larger TCP window size. Shorter latency connections (which you want) are optimized by a smaller TCP window size.

Wireless vs Hardwired Connections:

As all of the above suggests, the connection between your router and your computer is only a small part of what determines your actual upload speed. A chain is as strong as its weakest link, and your connection can only be as fast as its slowest segment.

Very often that slowest segment is the connection of your computer to the router. All else being equal, there’s no doubt that a hardwired connection is faster than wi-fi. It also allows for greater security and reliability. However, don’t expect a hardwired connection to increase your speed much if the bottleneck lies somewhere else along the chain. Going wired is a must, especially if you’re using a slow connection. These days hotels provide fast connections, especially if you request one in advance.

Here’s a method to determine the bandwidth and Internet speed for any given connection. Use any online speed testing service such as speedtest.net and carry out a test, which will show you the upload and download speed as well as latency in your system and the Internet connection. Other free programs offering online services such as Pingtest will help you see where or if there is any holdup at any one of the stops along your broadcast chain.

Making sure you have sufficient Internet speed is one of the critical factors in determining the efficacy of your broadcast and one that can make all the difference between success and failure of your event.

TLABC

"I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programmes - this will be a long & successful relationship!" "THANK YOU!!"

"I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programmes - this will be a long & successful relationship!" "THANK YOU!!" Erin Monahan Education Director Trial Lawyers Association of BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/172/

BCCLA

"We were extremely pleased by the service we received...

"The picture & sound were impeccable, all our remote viewers were able to access the program & we received a copy of the video for our website immediately after the event.

"We received high-level, courteous & professional service & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MediaPower's webcasting service"

"We were extremely pleased by the service we received... "The picture & sound were impeccable, all our remote viewers were able to access the program & we received a copy of the video for our website immediately after the event. "We received high-level, courteous & professional service & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MediaPower's webcasting service" David Eby, Executive Director BC Civil Liberties Association

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccla/

SMEI

Pesi's expertise in Live Event Webcasting sets him apart as one of the true professionals in his field.

His knowledge & understanding coupled with customer service excellence has made him a pleasure to work with.

I would not hesitate to recommend Pesi to anyone needing this type of service.

Pesi's expertise in Live Event Webcasting sets him apart as one of the true professionals in his field. His knowledge & understanding coupled with customer service excellence has made him a pleasure to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend Pesi to anyone needing this type of service. Willis Turner, CAE CME CSE Association Management Professional SMEI Sales & Marketing Executives International Inc.

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/smei/

BC SPCA

You provided us with the best solutions for our unique event & the highest quality service. Thank you for your wonderful advice, patience & guidance as we tackled our first-ever live webcast...

"We received wonderful feedback from our supporters who found the webcast easy to access & both sound & picture quality to be consistent & reliable. Thank you again for your wonderful service"

You provided us with the best solutions for our unique event & the highest quality service. Thank you for your wonderful advice, patience & guidance as we tackled our first-ever live webcast... "We received wonderful feedback from our supporters who found the webcast easy to access & both sound & picture quality to be consistent & reliable. Thank you again for your wonderful service" Melanie Parent Development Officer BCSPCA

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bc-spca/

Trial Lawyers Assoc

"MediaPower has been able to take our seminars & conferences to another level.

"We can now offer our educational programs to members all over the province without them having to travel to Vancouver. It is a fantastic addition to our programs & I could not have done it without MediaPower!

"MediaPower has been able to take our seminars & conferences to another level. "We can now offer our educational programs to members all over the province without them having to travel to Vancouver. It is a fantastic addition to our programs & I could not have done it without MediaPower! "Great Price Point & Excellent Quality!" Erin Monahan Education Director Trial Lawyers Association of BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/tlabc/

LSBC

We have used Mediastream's services a number of times to provide video streams of our events so that we could reach an audience that spanned the country.

Pesi was organized, punctual & reliable. I never had to worry about this part of my event and I was free to focus on other aspects.

We have used Mediastream's services a number of times to provide video streams of our events so that we could reach an audience that spanned the country. Pesi was organized, punctual & reliable. I never had to worry about this part of my event and I was free to focus on other aspects. Rosine Hage-Moussa Manager Programs & Outreach Life Sciences BC

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/lsbc/

CPSAC

Pesi Unwalla of EventcastLive was tremendously professional & accommodating in helping us set up an interactive webcast of our conference.

Participants from across Canada were thrilled to have the opportunity to join an event which would have been financially out of reach otherwise. I am personally thankful for his patience with my various questions and requests for changes and additions to our contract.

Pesi Unwalla of EventcastLive was tremendously professional & accommodating in helping us set up an interactive webcast of our conference. Participants from across Canada were thrilled to have the opportunity to join an event which would have been financially out of reach otherwise. I am personally thankful for his patience with my various questions and requests for changes and additions to our contract. Kim Mundle President Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/180/

Indigo Books

"Thanks for everything you did to support our event...

"You were so easy to work with because you were self-sufficient and able to problem-solve on your own.

"Its nice to work alongside someone that is agile and able to work under any circumstances!"

"Thanks for everything you did to support our event... "You were so easy to work with because you were self-sufficient and able to problem-solve on your own. "Its nice to work alongside someone that is agile and able to work under any circumstances!" Mary-Lynn Hanson Regional Marketing Manager Western Canada Indigo Books & Music Inc

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/indigo-books/

Mustang Survival Corp

"Wanted to send you a note to say how impressed everyone was with the webcast.

"There are people in the mergers & acquisition world now looking at it as setting the bar for how to do this.

"Wanted to send you a note to say how impressed everyone was with the webcast. "There are people in the mergers & acquisition world now looking at it as setting the bar for how to do this. "Your flexibility was a huge relief to me & you made it all so easy. "Thank You Again!" Sarah Williams Director Information Technology Mustang Survival Corp.

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/183/

BCPSQC

"We have had nothing but stellar feedback on the quality of the feed!

“I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programs – this will be a long & successful relationship! THANK YOU!!”

“Thanks for keeping us calm during our first experience. We will definitely work with you again!”

"We have had nothing but stellar feedback on the quality of the feed! “I am thrilled at how well the Webcast went & am excited to work more with you on our future programs – this will be a long & successful relationship! THANK YOU!!” “Thanks for keeping us calm during our first experience. We will definitely work with you again!” Marlies van Dijk BC Patients Safety & Quality Council (at the International Conference on Spotlighting Surgical Quality in BC)

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcpsqc/

BCCDC

"Everyone attending the webcast has given great compliments, saying it was flawless and the best webcast they have ever attended.

"Thank you so much for delivering a fantastic production at such short notice."

"Everyone attending the webcast has given great compliments, saying it was flawless and the best webcast they have ever attended. "Thank you so much for delivering a fantastic production at such short notice." Kirsten Mitchell BC Centre for Disease Control

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccdc/

PHSA

We would like to thank you for making our first ever [webcast] an outstanding success. Your advice, patience and experience helped us hurdle challenges to produce a flawless event.

We have received tremendously positive feedback from our participants, in particular that the audio, video & production quality was "beautiful" & that it was the "best webinar they have ever attended."

Many participants commented that it felt like they were in the room experiencing everything live with us.

We have received tremendously positive feedback from our webinar participants, in particular that the audio, video & production quality was "beautiful" & that it was the "best webinar they have ever attended."

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bccdc-2/

BCNF

"MediaPower allowed us to not only increase our conference participation rate by 100%, but we also increased our reach throughout the global community.

"The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our viewers loved how easy it was to access the live stream and interact with the presenters via the interactive online chat feature.

"MediaPower allowed us to not only increase our conference participation rate by 100%, but we also increased our reach throughout the global community. "The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Our viewers loved how easy it was to access the live stream and interact with the presenters via the interactive online chat feature. We will definitely hire MediaPower for our 2017 conference. Desiree Sher, Executive Director BC Neurofibromatosis Foundation

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcnf/

BCPA

Pesi Unwalla provides wonderful service . He covers every detail and goes above and beyond the call. He is always cool and unflappable and one of the real nice guys in the business. I look forward to working with him again.

Rick GambrelExecutive Director & Association Management Professional and Lawyer BC Psychological Association & The University of British Columbia

Pesi Unwalla provides wonderful service . He covers every detail and goes above and beyond the call. He is always cool and unflappable and one of the real nice guys in the business. I look forward to working with him again. Rick Gambrel Executive Director & Association Management Professional and Lawyer BC Psychological Association & The University of British Columbia

http://eventcastlive.ca/testimonials/bcpa/

Vital Communications

Pesi is responsive, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm glad he provided everything that was needed for a critical US/Canada corporate live webcast.

Pesi is responsive, respectful and knowledgeable. I'm glad he provided everything that was needed for a critical US/Canada corporate live webcast. John Kageorge, APR Communications Strategist Vital Communications American University Vancouver